/^ 3S09 




fleart 

Songs 



-5 



f lorence 



HEART SONG8 



ElilZABETH FliORENCE ELDREDGE 

J > 3 3 > > 7 J > 3 5 3 , ) 1 , J. 



1>'^ 



5) -) ; ' 



.o i , o , J , 



CINCINNATI, O. 

THE PICA PRESS 

Copyriftht 1902. 

BY EtIZABETll ILORENCi: ELDItEDOK 



THF LIBRARY OF 

0ON«3R€SS, 
Two CoPtt£ Reobveo 

mC, 22 190? 

DLA88 ^-^ XXflL Ho. 

A^ r '7 -7 -) 

COPY B. 






DEDICATED 

with affectionate resrarcl 

to my Father and Mother 



THE DAY. 

'Tis morn. 
The eastern hills are tipped with golden lioht. 
Bright shafts of amber flash upon the sight. 
A new day has been born with promise bright. 
Oh Father! help me to improve this day. 
Wilt thou control and guide me, in the way 
Of righteousness. May love rule all I say. 
'Tis morn. 

'Tis noon. 
The golden sun marks half his journey o'er. 
The laborer rests, before his cottage door, 
And goes refreshed unto the fields once more. 
And what have I to show for half the day? 
Some ministry of love, along the way? 
What, none! Then hasten, make thou no delay. 
'Tis noon. 

'Tis night. 
The orb of day has dropped into the west. 
Earth's weary toiler seeks his home, so blest. 
All Nature hushed and quiet, whispers, "Rest." 
My work undone, shall at ray charge be laid. 
But time improved brings joy. This thought 
hath made 
My rest more sweet -while softlj^ light doth fade. 
'Tis night. 



FLOWERS FROM HOME, 

TT is only a bunch of flowers 

^ In a slender china vase; 

But it carries my thoughts far away 

I'lirough many leagues of space, 
To the dearest spot in the world, 

To the fondly loved home-place. 

Yes, these flowers were sent from home. 

Dear heart, you see now, I know, 
Why m3^ thoughts are so far away, 

In the days of long ago, 
In a dear old g'arden so bright, 

Where lilies and roses blow. 

Two little girls are at play 

Now plucking the blossoms fair, 

Both with eyes like the sky so blue. 
And braids of dark-hued hair; 

They stoop o'er the pansy bed, 
For this is their special care. 

Little sisters, how happy j^ou were 

Neath the great trees with the flowers; 

At play near the sweet rose bed 
In the shade of leafy bowers! 

I was one of the sisters small 

Who played through the summer hours. 



And now, tending the flowers she loves, 

] see mother so tall and fair. 
Tardy buds seem to unfold their wealth 

Of color and perfume rare, 
As though in response to her touch, 

As in gratitude for her care. 

That garden is still bright and gay. 

Flowers bloom as ever of yore. 
But the sisters to womanhood grown 

Frequent the old paths no more. 
One lives in a southern clime. 

And one on a western shore. 

But the friends in the dear old home 
Deftly care for the garden sweet, 

And oft it refreshes the tired ones 
In the noisy city's heat. 

To think of that dear spot far away, 
With fragrance and shade replete. 

And deep gratitude fills my heart 
For my happy childhood hours. 

I am living those days again 

Through the sunshine, shade and showers, 

As that golden time comes back to me 
On the sweet breath of the flowers. 



WEDDING BELLS. 



lUERRILY ring- the bells- the wedding bells! 
■'^'-^ The organ peals its soft andante song. 
How sweet the tale of love their mnsic tells 
To all the happy fast-assembling throng 
On this bright wedding day. 

Before the altar now^ in chaste array 

Of bridal beanty stand the happy two, 

With loving, trembling hearts. Now list! they say 
The fateful words which pledge their troth so true 
On this their wedding day. 

The minister of Christ, in reverent tone 

Implores the blessing of the G;)d of love. 

And now pronounces he the twain as one, 
Invoking benedictions from above 
On this new^- wedded pair. 

Fond friends their love and brightest hopes express 
For 303^ and sunshine all along lifes way. 

Ah me! were wishes all they need to bless, 

The path would be as bright as endless day 
To this fair bridal pair. 



Long- live this happy hour, this brilliant scene 

In memory's chamber, chaste and bri.j,ht, apart 

From others. Let it stand alone. A dream 
Of love and beauty, to inspise the heart 
In some now distant day. 

For well we know that care to all will come 

However sheltered. But how sweet the thought 

That love, which hallows every christian home, 

Doth lighten care. Thus each day may be frought 
With precious memories. 

Ring on, oh wedding bells, oh merry chimes! 

Tell forth that sweet old story - old yet new. 
The tale of hearts united, humankind 

Will ever hear with joy. May Ijlessings true 
Attend each wedding dav. 



MOTHER'S LETTERS. 

I. 

4i]U OTHER'S LETTERS/' precious phrase 

^^'^ To the one so far away, 
For her letters fill the days 

Full of sunshine. And the way 
That so hard and rou.c'h appearedl 
Smooth and fair before us li>3s; 
And the trial that we feared 
Passes lightly - as our eyes 
See clearer Kftht. 



II. 



"-'Mother'^s Letters,"" sweetest words,. 

For each messag-e breathes her love. 
Cheers us as the song- of birds 

In the morn. And we above 
Lilt our hearts in grateful prayer 

For this dearest boon of earth. 
Watchful, loving mother-care! 

None can over-rate its worth 
In guiding life. 



in. 

Wearied with the endless cares 

And the ceaseless grind of toll, 
When a prey to Satan's snares 

"Mother's Letters" come to foil 
All his wily purpose dark; 

For before me calm and fair 
Mother's face appears. Now mark 

All the strength reflected there 
From her brave heart. 



IV. 



Sometimes In the city's din 

When the heart grows sick with strife, 
Where on every hand is sin, 

And the awful fight for life 
Makes one cry in pleading tones: 

•'Oh for strength to braver be!" 
Then a breath of dear old home 

In ''Mother's Letters" comes to me. 
And all is well. 



SICK-ROOM ETIQUETTE. 

/"'HEER the sick, but do not l)ore them: 
^ Plain advice, but good and true; 
For if you would aid recovery 

Yoa should make them feal less "blue. 
Wear a smile into the sick-room, 

And g'o in without adj. 

Do not ask the poor sick fellow 

Of his every pain and aclie. 
You should help him to forget them, 

And a small oasis make 
Of your little visit to him," 

Just for love and mercy's sake. 

Do not tell him of your uncle 

Who had such a similar spell; 

And of how the wise ol I doctors 
Did their best to make him Avell; 

How in spite of all their efforts, 
One sad da3% his death befell. 

Do not tell him of a neighbor 

Who had ailed for five long years. 

And just called a city doctor, 

Who today con firmed their fears. 

That he will not last till spring-time. 
"Cases sim'lar, it appears." 



10 



Do not tell him of your auntie 

Who had "trouble in her head;" 

Nor of your own cousin Jason, 
Who spent fifteen years in bed; 

Nor of dear old neighbor Martin 
Now so low on liquids fed. 

Do not tell him of how worried 

You have been to see him "fail;" 

Nor of how you feel uneasy 

Thus to see him look so pale; 

Nor of how you fear the family 
Do not know he is so frail. 

Oh no, friend, this all is folly. 

It is unkind, cruel too. 
Take some sunshine, joy and brightness 

From your world along with you 
To the sick one, for so narrow 

Is his world - so cramped his view. 



11 



**TUY WILL BE DONE.'' 



OFT times to friends in sorrow <had I gone 
And spoken of tlie justice of God's ways, 
And pointed to tiie iiope of brighter days 
After the long, dark night, and c«)ld gray dawn. 

My life was full of hope, my heart was young. 
Oh joy! to labor thus in Christ's dear name, 
To tell the joyous tale so sweet; the same 

That angel lips on Bethlehem's hill had sung. 

The sacred Book, with promises replete, 
I've carried to the home of woe and need, 
And urged the weary care-worn ones to feed 

Upon his Word, for every hour made meet. 

Saddened, I've sat beside the bed of pain 
Whisp'ring the promise, "I will strengthen thee," 
"Mj- grace sufficient for all times will be." 

Poor weary sufferer, take heart again. 

For surely Christ our Lord is all in all. 

Balm for all pain is found within the Book. 

The tired, sin-sick soul has but to look 
To Him, and freedom feel from sorrow's thrall. 



12 



**How then can any child of God be sad? '" 
Thought I, — for chastening is a mark of love, 
Fitting- the soul for purer joj^s above. 

Oh happy heart! why cannot all be glad! 

And thus the j-ears sped happily along- 
In blessed work by my companion's side, 
Nor did I think that aught would e'er betide 

To raise one doubt, against my faith so strong. 

But ah! one day in golden-hearted June, 
When all the world was fair in blossoms gay. 
Shadows fell round me - oh how dark the way! 

I scarce could see. Oh can hope wane so soon? 

"Dear Father! thou wilt surely grant my prayer! 

Now hear me, "cried I, thro' the deepening gloom. 

"Grant me this fondest hope — this one dear boon. 
All mj' soul yearns for this dear gem, so rare." 



Prostrate with sorrow, weak and dazed I lay, 
For all my hope was crushed at one swift blow; 
On n:y soul's shrine the light of faith burned low, 

And in my life, clouds dimmed the fair, sweet day. 



l:J 



The tempter whispered, "God has failed you now; 
That he should grant j^our prayer was onl3^ just, 
For it was asked of him in loving- trust. 

This bitter disappointment why allow?" 

'*0 Satan, get thee from me! flee, oh, flee! 

For surelj^ this is but my Father's will. 

I yet will cling to God, I'll trust him still, 
Tho' small my strength, tho' dark the way mtiy be." 

One thing was lacking e'er that p?rfect p?ace 
Of which I spoke to others, could be mine: 
I must my all, my entire will resign 

To God's, and trust his love;- then doubts would 
cease. 

With head bowed low, my heart poured forth in 
praj^er 
For perfect resignation to God's will, 
A sweet voice whispers, "Peace!" Oh glorious 
thrill 
Of joy, to know the peace of Christ so rare. 

With clearer sight I lift my eyes above, 
And praise his hol^^ name for vict'ry won. 
And say with trustful heart, "Thy will be done." 

Peace fills m^^ soul! 1 bless the God of love. 



14 



EVENING THOUGHTS. 

CYHl that I c(^ulfl see tonight across the leagues of land, 
^ Unto the distant citj' where my loved one lives! 
Oh that I conld feel tonight the pressure of that hand 
And know that thrill of strength and joy that its strong 
grasp gives! 

Oh that I could look tonight into those eyes so true 

And hear the tender voice so full of love for me, 

It seems that I could ask no more; - this love so old so 

new, 
So satisfies and fills me. It draws me to thee. 

My love tonight I thee consign, unto God's dear care. 
To him who keeps and guides us, so kindly, daj^ by da3\ 
He'll guard thee tenderly tonight. He'll hear my fondest 

prayer. 
Sweet thought that God is with us both, though thou 

art far away. 



15 



FIFTY YEARS. 

BRIGHT and golden is this day. 
Sweetly may its moments fly 
On the wings of tender thoughts, 
Of the happ3' years gone by. 

Fifty years ago today 

Wedding bells rang, clear and sweet. 
And methinks their silvery tones 

Today, the melody repeat. 

Oh, Golden anniversary! 

Precious time! for it is frought 
With thoughts of gratitude to God 

For his love, that changeth not. 

Maj^ the tender love of God, 

That has kept you thro' each year. 

Lead you ever gently on, 

As the sunset draweth near. 

(jlorious afternoon of life! 

May your skie.-^ be all aglow, 
With the pure and mellow light, 

That from the throne of God doth flow 



\i\ 



May each day the brighter grow, 

As hand in hand, you journey on, 

Until the golden gates of evening, 
Open into endless dawn. 



Written for the Goldea Anniversary of Mr. &nd Mrs. Joseph 
P. Williams, Cincinnati, Ohio Ncremher 24, 1902. 



ir 



THE RESURRECTION STORY. 

John 11. 

'THE gentle light of early dawn 
^ Was trembling througli the gl )om, 
Of that first fair Easter morning, 

When softly to the tomb 
Of her crncified Re.leeraer, 

A woman sadly goes 
To weep alone for him she loves; 

Her heart with grief o'erflows. 

Wlio will remove the heavy stone 

That seals the sacred place 
Where rests the Master's body? 

Muses she with anxious face. 
But lo! as she approached the spot, 

The stone is rolled away, 
And now she sees an empty tomb. 

Oh, strange and wondrous day! 

She hastens quickly with the news 

To his disciples dear. 
Who in turn hie them to the place, 

With unbelief and fear. 
Oh yes! they find an empty tomb. 

"What meaneth this?" they say; 
"Here lies the clothing by itself." 

They turn and flee awa3^ 



18 



But waiting just outside the cave, 

One stauds, in sorrow deep; 
'Tis Mary weeping; for lier Lord, 

As slie doth vigil keep. 
But as she weeps, she stoops and looks 

Into the empty tomb, 
A vision l)ursts upon her sig'ht; 

A light dispells the gloom. 



Two angels clad in g:arments white, 

And radient as the day, 
Sit at the head and at the foot, 

Of where Christ's body lay. 
"Ye seek the Lord, the Crucified, 

Weep not nor feel affright. 
For he is risen as he sai 1," 

Quoth the ang:els, pure and bright. 

Yet understood she not what meant 

This marvelous message glad; 
But turning quickly saw one near, 

And,ovsrwhelmed and sad. 
She asked, where they had taken him. 

"Oh tell!" she plead through tears. 
•*2trary" he said. "Rabboni" (Lord), 

She cried: joy stilling fears. 



19 



Oh, radiant Joy that filled the hearts 

Of his disciples when, 
With heaven-illumened e^^es, they see 

The Crucified again. 
Their Saviour, Master, Teacher, Friend 

Had risen, as he said, 
And conquered death, the grave and hell, 

By rising from the dead. 

Time has rolled on and multitudes 

Have heard the blessed Word, 
As down the centuries the sonff 

Of risen life is heard. 
For this glad resurrection tale 

Brings joy to all who hear; 
This victory of salvation's plan 

That takes from death the fear. 



Sweet Easter bells, ring loud and clear, 

The joj^ous news proclaim, 
That Christ is risen from the dead — 

Oh, praise his holy name! 
Tell forth the tidings, sweet-voiced bells, 

On each glad Easter morn; 
For Christ is risen, man is free, 

His righteous name adorn. 



2() 



A 



In Memory of 

MR. JOHN K. BROWNELLEK. 

LIFE of earnest faithfulness 
And of patient love and trust 
Is ended, and we mourn our loss. 

But give praise to God we must 
For the hope of life immortal 

Ever with the pure and just. 

We in memory can see him 

In his own home, as of yore 

Ever friendly, kind and cordial. 
For we know a goodly store 

Of the grace of hospitality 

In his kindly heart he bore. 

In our dear old church we see him 
Greeting strangers old and young 

With a pleasant word and hand-grasp, 
And a hope that they might come 

Yet again, and worship with us, 
And a smile for every one. 

And in memory we hear him 

As he reads the blessed Word 

In the Wednesday evening meeting. 
And now list! his voice is heard 

In a simple earnest prayer. 

And our waiting hearts are stirred. 

'' 21 



Helpful were those prayer-meetinj^s 

After service Sabbath iii;j;-ht, 
Where the burden of our tired hearts 

We laid down; and prayed for might 
To continue brave and faithful 

,iit. 

Here is one of memory's pictures 

Bright and fair, of our dear friend. 

For his testimony ever 

Told of how we should depend 

On the Lord, for daily ;£?uidance, 

Strength and courage, to the end. 

One especial Sabbath evening 

We remember months ago, 
The sermon theme, that night was "Heaven, 

And he spoke of how below 
On the earth we know but little 

Of the joys we once would know. 

"But," he said, his kind face lighting, 
"When I lay down every care, 

And walk the golden streets of heaven 
Sharing thus its joys so rare, 

I shall know all; - not until then. 
Keep me faithful, is my prayer." 



t2 



And again the weene is altered 

He among the elders stands, 
With the precious, hallowed emblems 

Of Christ's body, in his hands. 
And our hearts are filled with praises 

For God's gift, to gentile lands. 

For it is communion Sabbath, 

And we celebrate the love 
Of the dying, sinless Saviour 

And "The Spirit, heavenly dove," 
Rests upon the waiting people; 

Holy gift from Christ above. 

Do not grieve that thus his presence 
We now miss in these sweet scenes. 

For the sacred word he trusted, 

Tells of how, more fair than dreams. 

Stand the just ones pure and holy 
Waiting l)y the crystal streams. 

Yes, he knows now of the glory 

Of the city of the Lord. 
He has entered the reality 

Of the joys of his reward, 
With the blood-washed throng now singing 

Praise to God in sweet accord. 



2'i 



Thank God for his life among lis, 
For his faith so strong and pure, 

In the justice of God's rulings. 
May his memory- e'er endure 

In our hearts a bright incentive 
To a faith more firm and sure. 



Written for a Memorial Service in the Pcplar Street 
PMsljyterian Church, Fehruary 1901. 



24 



THE CALENDAR. 

UPON my desk, all bright and new. 
The New Year calendar now lies, 
With cover-page of gayest hue, 

Suggesting thoughts of summer skies. 

The form of Cupid, winsome god. 

In dainty pencilings of gold 
Upon the margin white and broad, 

Appears, as we the leaves unfold. 

Atop the page where winter, chill. 

Holds rule through each recurring day. 
The skating pond and snow-capped hill 

Is sketched, with merry boys at play. 

The next page is a medley scene, 

Of peeping flower and bursting bud; 

The gray old trees have donned their green, 
Ihe meadow brook is all aflood. 

And now the summer months we see. 
With sketch of golden harvest field, 

And hill-side orchard with each tree 
Bent low, with its abundant yield. 



25 



Sweet scenes of aiitiim's mellow days 
Are painted on the last bright sheet; 

The forest trees seem all ablaze 

With gold and crimson, so replete. 

Oh little calendar! aglow 

With pictured page so bright and ga3% 
W^hat do you hold of weal or woe 

For me, through each succeeding day? 



2(> 



THE CHRISTMAS STORY. 

SHALL I relate the story, how tl e first glad Cliristmas 
day. 
Our Saviour came from ;;lory, as a bahe, in humblest 
way? 

The good Judean shepherds watched their sleeping flocks, 

at night, 
When suddenly around them shone a radiant, glorious 

light. 
The angel of the Lord stood near, and said, "Be not 

afraid, 
For Good News of abundant joy I bring, be not dismay- 
ed; 
For unto you Is born this day, the Saviour, Christ, th3 

Lord, 
The holy King, in Bethlehem, according to the Word." 
Then, in the midnight sky app?ared a shining, heavenly 

throng. 
And on the stillness of the night, there burst a joyous 

song. 
For angel voices, sweet and clear, the glad Hosanuas 

sang. 
And o'er the dim Judea.n hills, the heavenly anthem rang. 
Praises and glory be to God, and peace, goo<l will, on 

earth. 
This was the burden of the song, at the dear Saviour's 

birth. 



The shepherds haste to Bethlehem, the town of David, 
where 

In a lowly manger lying, they find the infant, fair. 

They told of their bright vision, of the beauteous heaven- 
ly band, 

That heralded Christ's birth, with songs of "Peace," for 
every land. 

And then rejoicing to their homes, the happy shepherds 
went, 

With glad thanksgiving, for this gift to earth, from 
heaven sent. 

And next the Magi came, from out that unknown coun- 
try far; 

And found the Christ-child, guided by the brilliant east- 
ern star. 

Tell then this blessed message, of great joy, where'er you 
may; 

Of Good NeAvs sent to all the world, on this first Christ- 
mas day. 

Sing praise to God, for his great love, thus shown to all 
the earth; 

For peace and jo3% that came to men, at our Redeemer's 
birth. 

And in joyous Christmas carols, may we, our praises 
sing. 

For the great gift of God's dear son, our Saviour, Lord 
and King. 



2S 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




021 929 798 1 



